Water Parameters questions

[moeldner]

I have finally gotten a GH/KH test kit, so I can check the hardness and so on of the water. What I dont understand it what the values actually mean.

KH = 4 (or about 71.6 ppm) (lowish??)
GH = 9 (or about 161.1 ppm) (medium hard)

My other parameters have been stable for months as follows:

Am: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm
Ph: 7.2

So what does the KH and GH actually mean in this situation. I have an understanding of what the represent, just not what the actual results mean, or if I should be doing anything about it.

This is a 30G community tank as per my sig.

Thanks

 

[rdd1952]

Here is a pretty good explanation of pH, GH & KH. Generally speaking, GH isn't as important as KH. The sipmle answer is that the KH or carbonate hardness of the water is a measure of the buffering capacity of your water. The higher the KH, the more stable your pH will be and the harder it will be to raise or lower it if you want to change it for any reason. Water with a low KH will be more susceptible to pH drops if you add driftwood or CO2.

 

[moeldner]

thanks rdd

I have driftwood in the tank, which brought my PH down from around 7.6 to 7.2, where it has been stable for the last 2 months.

Was really just wondering if these values were anything to be concerned about. Thanks for the link as well.